Hurricanes Milton, Helene: Resources Available Now

Posted by Duke Rountree on

Disaster recovery

 

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Florida residents who lost their job, can’t get to work, can’t work due to an injury, were going to start a job but can’t be due to the storm or if they are now the main household supporter because the previous one died may be eligible for DUA assistance. Applicants should be aware they will apply for regular unemployment assistance and then be denied that assistance. That denial will then trigger the application for DUA assistance. DUA is not yet available for Hurricane Milton but should become available in the near future. Click here to apply.
  • Help with food, supplies, home repairs and more: Activate Hope connects the private sector, nonprofits and government to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here to get help.
  • Muck outs, tree and debris removal and tarps: The Crisis Cleanup program connects residents with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities. Call (844) 965-1386. The hotline will remain open through Friday, October 25, 2024.
  • Red Cross: The 24-hour hotline can connect individuals with free or reduced cost assistance. Call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or click here.
  • Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan: For short-term, zero-interest loans to “bridge the gap” between a disaster and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding. Click here for more information.  Call 833-832-4494 or email EmergencyBridgeLoan@commerce.fl.gov with questions.
  • Small Business Association disaster loans: Federal assistance is available for all businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofits located in declared disaster areas. SBA disaster loans can be used for personal and business losses not covered by insurance or funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and business operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Click here for more information.
  • Affordable rentals: Visit www.FloridaHousingSearch.org or call 1-877-428-8844 for information about affordable rental properties. The site is continually updated with accurate listings.
  • State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program: Temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal and/or home repairs are available through SHIP programs administered through local governments. Click here for more information.
  • Free WiFi: Comcast and Spectrum announced free public Wi-Fi access points across Florida. For more information visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com or Spectrum Out-of-Home WiFi Map.

Insurance claims to date

As of Friday (Oct. 11), the total estimated insured losses in Florida for Hurricane Milton were $586,465,025. Of the 43,897 claims so far, 38,032 are for residential property damage. The number of claims and estimated losses are expected to increase in the coming weeks. For now:

  • Claims under private flood insurance policies: 66 (most flood policies are through FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program, not private)
  • Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 39
  • Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 18
  • Commercial property claims: 301
  • Percent of claims closed: 1.5%

 As of Friday (Oct. 11), the total estimated insured losses in Florida for Hurricane Helene were $1,197,629,809. Of the 119,489 claims so far, 51,529 are for residential property damage. The number of claims and estimated losses are expected to increase in the coming weeks. For now:

  • Claims under private flood insurance policies: 3,534 (most flood policies are through FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program, not private)
  • Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 14,981
  • Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 12,112
  • Commercial property claims: 2,530
  • Percent of claims closed: 22.7%

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2024/10/hurricanes-milton-helene-resources-available-now